Butterfly fever
The so-called butterfly fever is a disease native to the isle of Naath. It is believed to be transmitted by the local butterflies, particularly a large black-and-white variety with wings as big as a man's hand, according to Archmaester Ebrose. Even though the Naathi themselves are immune to this sickness, all outsiders who remain too long on Naath fall prey to it.[1]
Contents
Symptoms
Fever is the first sign of the disease, followed by painful spasms that make the victims seem to be dancing wildly and uncontrollably. In the last stage, those afflicted sweat blood, and their flesh sloughs from their bones.[1]
History
Ghiscari seized Naath thrice in the times of the Old Empire. The Valyrians erected a fort, a company of Volantene adventurers built a trade town, and corsairs of the Basilisk Isles have landed on Naath countless times. All of these invaders fell to the plague, however.[1] Likewise, when Nymeria's Rhoynar landed on the island, they too fell to the disease, even though they had been welcomed with open arms by the Naathi.[2]
Corsairs learned that the chances of dying of butterfly fever are low as long as they do not remain on the islands for more than a few hours, and lower still if they land at night, as the butterflies that carry it are day creatures. Thus, slavers now often attack Naath during the dark of night, forcing the Naathi inland.[1]
Quotes
Yet none of these invaders survived, and the Naathi claim that none lasted more than a year, for some evil humor lurks in the very air of this fair isle, and all those who linger too long on Naath soon succumb. Fever is the first sign of this plague, followed by painful spasms that make it seem as if victims are dancing wildly and uncontrollably. In the last stage, the afflicted sweat blood, and their flesh sloughs from their bones.[1]
—writings of Yandel
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 The World of Ice & Fire, Beyond the Free Cities: Naath.
- ↑ The World of Ice & Fire, Ancient History: Ten Thousand Ships.